The Sportster's V-twin had remained virtually unchanged until 1986. At that time, it was updated with aluminum heads and cylinders along with hydraulic lifters, improvements that earned it the same "Evolution" title as its Big Twin brothers.

At first offered in 883- and 1100-cc versions (the former with the same displacement as the original Sportster in 1957), the larger engine grew to 1200 cc in 1988 -- the same 74 cubic inches of the pre-1978 overhead-valve Big Twins.

By 1998, the Sportster line included standard models along with Sport and Custom variations, the latter graced with 16-inch slotted cast rear wheel and 21-inch spoked front wheel.

Available only in 1200-cc form for 1998 (an 883 would appear later), the Sportster Custom was among the models that could be ordered with Harley-Davidson's special 95th anniversary trim package that year.

And like all the other anniversary models, it has since become a prized collector's item.

Go to the next page to see more pictures of the 1998 Harley-Davidson XL-1200C Sportster motorcycle.

The 1984 Harley-Davidson FXRT built upon the success of the FXR. A stiffer frame with Sportster-style forks handled better than any previous Big Twin and rubber engine mounts and a five-speed made for a smoother ride. Read about the Harley FXRT.

The 2002 Harley-Davidson XL-1200C Sportster has not changed much since its 1996 debut. Custom versions of the Sportster arrived as a way of adding big-Harley styling like two-tone paint to the middleweight line. Learn about the XL-1200c Sportster.